For many months debate has raged across the Greater Toronto Area about the education system, specifically as it relates (or not) to black youth.
Last night, January 29, 2008, a vote was taken by the trustees of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).
By a vote of 11-9, a black-focused school is now on – although it should be noted that there is, at this time, no guarantee of funding from the government of Ontario to see this to fruition.
One mother whose son was shot and killed in a tragic school incident last year made an impassioned plea against the motion: "If black kids need to graduate, let's get teachers in there and learn how to interact with black kids," she said. Others warned that an Africentric school would amount to a dangerous step back toward racial segregation. That strange sound we might be hearing could be Martin Luther King turning over in his grave.
What does the word “Africentric” mean? As I understand things, it would be an environment where the majority of thoughts, educators, teachings, etc. would be predominantly black. OK, fair enough.
The TDSB says 40 per cent of Caribbean-born students drop out, (as do) 32 per cent from east Africa. Are there statistics available from the Caribbean or East Africa that Toronto taxpayers and the TDSB might make a comparison? What are the statistics for kids from eastern Europe, for example? Or perhaps native Canadians?
Can anyone truly say that it is the education system that is at fault if stats from abroad either match or, heaven forbid, exceed the above quoted figures? If that is the case, then is it the education system there that may be blamed as a contributing factor?
Consider this; how many young adults of Asian background are in this very same school system? What is their drop out rate? As a generalization, many young people of Asian origin excel in the very same system where apparently so many youth of colour fail.
Why is that?
Perhaps many Asian families are focused on getting the best education possible from the public system so their children may go forward in life and make a contribution to society’s melting pot?
Perhaps there are fewer fingers being pointed outward?
Perhaps there is a greater acceptance of responsibility by many of those families – their socio-economic environment notwithstanding?
Sure, there are and will continue to be cultural differences. Understand, I’m not for one moment suggesting the present system is perfect. However we're Canadians; can we not reach a more amenable compromise? Is a 180 degree change necessary?
Collectively, we all need to be more responsible; more accountable.
Otherwise, where does it all end?
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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2 comments:
First off, since you wrote this, the Premier has outright stated that the government will NOT give funding to this school. I was extremely pleased to hear this. No, I'm not racist, quite the opposite actually, as I believe that segrating these kids will only make matters worse.
I 100% agree that having an Africentric school will turn back time and force society back to the segration of the 1950's. How does this benefit anyone, let alone the kids who would be attending this school?
We live in Canada, therefore, we learn Canadian history. If you want world history, take a world history course! They do exist!
The school system here definitely needs to update their curriculum, but how is teaching black kids ONLY black history going to better their lives? And what is going to happen when a child from another race, or mixed race wants to attend this school? Will they be refused? Will there be riots?
Segrating a culture is not the answer here. Having a better school system all-around IS the answer!!!!
Definitely on the right track, Carly.
Why would anyone want to go backwards to move ahead?
Not only that, but there needs to be much more accountability within households. Regretably there are often cultural stereotypes perpetuated in many apparently disadvantaged homes. Parents, assuming both live under the same roof, often have no clue what their children are up to and with whom. How can they state with a straight face to the media when their child has been involved in some alleged criminal activty, "He was a good kid..." Many times they don't even know or even have no desire to know who their children are with while outside their home. If a family is on social assistance, should a parent not at least ask the question, "Where did those $ 150 sneakers come from?"
Like I said, it's so easy to point the finger of blame at everyone else.
Let's not expect parenting to be done by any level of government; that's not why we have them. It's high time we all took more responsibility and do the right thing for and by our children.
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